Optical test of solar components using solar divergence collimators

Year: 2010

Authors: Fontani D., Sansoni P., Sani E., Francini F., Jafrancesco D., Mercatelli L.

Autors Affiliation: CNR – Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Largo E. Fermi 6, 50125 Firenze, Italy

Abstract: The optical characterization of solar components represents a crucial aspect of the research onrenewable energies. It allows evaluating the optical features of every single component, taking asreference the optical project. Laboratory tests can comparatively characterize the elements of a serialproduction, thus giving information about production homogeneity. They can examine solarconcentrators of various shapes, dimensions and collection features. The main tests assess collectionefficiency, image plane analysis and angle dependence. The core of the laboratory set-up for the tests isa solar divergence collimator, reproducing the sunlight divergence and therefore simulating theoperative conditions.

Conference title: EUROSUN Graz 28Sept-1Oct 2010.
Place: Graz (Austria) 28Sept-1Oct 2010.

KeyWords: optical test; solar collimator; solar components